2020 Swole Sisters' Day Winner

Congratulations to the 2020 Swole Sisters’ Day Winner!

Michelle Larson

Bluffton, SC

Nominated by herSwole Sister, Mandy Howard

What does being a Swole Sister mean to you?

Being a Swole Sister means being a motivator, a supporter, aco-competitor, a post-WOD celebrator, a friend to go to during WODs and outsideof WODs. Swole Sisters push each other in the gym but are there for each other24/7, even for the tough stuff.

Why does your Swole Sister deserve to win?

My Swole Sister has been my best friend ever since Irelocated to this new state over four years ago. She pushes me and competeswith me. She puts up with my ridiculous matching outfits even though she's myopposite when it comes to clothes. Our favorites are the WodBottom dinosaurshorties with our team names: Trapasaurus and Cardioraptur. People ask us if weplan our matching outfits...the answer is YES!!

Michelle supports me in whatever challenge I pick up.

I decided to run my first marathon, and she trained longruns with me every Sunday, no matter what she was doing (even in the snow) anddespite having no desire to run a marathon. On the day of the marathon, sheshowed up with a made-up bib that said, "Mandy's Support Runner," andbrought my favorite flavor of Gatorade. She held that Gatorade and ran with mefor 6 miles out of my marathon. That support was so huge and was one of thebest days of my life, which was mainly special because of the support I had.

She's there for me at odd hours with little notice. Forexample, she judged me for 20.5 at 10 pm on a Thursday night before I had tojump on a plane out of the country.

She's my COVID support. During quarantine conditions, shewas my garage workout partner and competitor. She still came to work out withme and listened to my frustrations over the long work hours we wereexperiencing at my job due to COVID.

There are many in-depth conversations that happen at ourbarbell and on the floor of the garage or gym. We supported each other duringthis tough time, and we continue to do so no matter what life throws at us.She's better than a best friend; she's my SWOLE SISTER - and yes, we even havematching Swole Sister tanks, of course!

How does your Swole Sister impact your or others’lives?

Michelle is always supportive of me and others during toughtimes. My dog has been hospitalized with heart failure a couple of times thispast year, and she is always immediately available to come by and support me.

We get our emotions out with our WOD and conversations.She's also a coach and helps many athletes at our gym. She works particularlywell with one of our special needs athletes due to her ability to be calm andgain rapport with others. She takes coaching to a whole other level by tapingworkout programming for senior citizens at her work during COVID in order totry and help others but also maintain social distancing. This is not her mainjob function, but she did so on her own time in order to help better thecommunity she works for.

Michelle is kind and selfless, and we are lucky to have herin our lives!!

CrossFit Gym: May River Fitness in Bluffington,SC